A TIME OF REFUGE
September 16
Elul 16
Whatever shortcomings you may find in yourself as you undertake the process of facing yourself in the month of Elul, know that within G-d's compassion that radiates this month everyone can find refuge.
In the introduction to the month of Elul we noted that it is an acronym for a verse from the Book of Exodus (21:13) which speaks of the "cities of refuge" where those who committed an accidental crime could flee and make a new home: inah le'yado vesamti lach ("...deliver into his hand, I shall establish for you...").
By the Torah's command, nine cities of refuge were to be established in the Land of Israel, but not all in the same territory:
three in Israel proper—the Holy Land
three east of the River Jordan—the Wild East where manslaughter was common
three in the Time to Come, when G-d will enlarge the borders of Israel—the Holy Land of the future
This teaches us that G-d provides a refuge for everyone—from the relatively lawless to the holy.
At every stage of our spiritual/religious life there is the possibility of some "crime" (relative to our unique potential) and there is a safe place where we can take refuge to safely undergo self-examination and endeavor to make atonement.
G-d gives us the month of Elul as that special time of refuge in the Hebrew calendar.
It is the way of the Western world to make Elul—which typically falls in high summer—a time for vacation. But there is another dimension to this: While you take vacation from your material work, you are freed to do serious spiritual work—accounting for the past and returning to your true self and to your mission from G-d.
Ask yourself: Have you made Elul a time of introspection in the past? How is this Elul different for you?
Exercise for the day:
- Dedicate some of your vacation time for spiritual introspection, making the most of the opportunity that this Elul offers.
- Sincerely express to G-d your desire to return to your Divine mission.
- Intensify your intention when reciting Psalm 27 during this month.
Elul 16
Whatever shortcomings you may find in yourself as you undertake the process of facing yourself in the month of Elul, know that within G-d's compassion that radiates this month everyone can find refuge.
In the introduction to the month of Elul we noted that it is an acronym for a verse from the Book of Exodus (21:13) which speaks of the "cities of refuge" where those who committed an accidental crime could flee and make a new home: inah le'yado vesamti lach ("...deliver into his hand, I shall establish for you...").
By the Torah's command, nine cities of refuge were to be established in the Land of Israel, but not all in the same territory:
three in Israel proper—the Holy Land
three east of the River Jordan—the Wild East where manslaughter was common
three in the Time to Come, when G-d will enlarge the borders of Israel—the Holy Land of the future
This teaches us that G-d provides a refuge for everyone—from the relatively lawless to the holy.
At every stage of our spiritual/religious life there is the possibility of some "crime" (relative to our unique potential) and there is a safe place where we can take refuge to safely undergo self-examination and endeavor to make atonement.
G-d gives us the month of Elul as that special time of refuge in the Hebrew calendar.
It is the way of the Western world to make Elul—which typically falls in high summer—a time for vacation. But there is another dimension to this: While you take vacation from your material work, you are freed to do serious spiritual work—accounting for the past and returning to your true self and to your mission from G-d.
Ask yourself: Have you made Elul a time of introspection in the past? How is this Elul different for you?
Exercise for the day:
- Dedicate some of your vacation time for spiritual introspection, making the most of the opportunity that this Elul offers.
- Sincerely express to G-d your desire to return to your Divine mission.
- Intensify your intention when reciting Psalm 27 during this month.
posted by kurtiskabbalah at 1:14:00 PM
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